sir.’
‘Have you seen either Mr Ashton or Benson at all today?’
‘No, sir.’
‘When was the last time you saw them?’
‘Well, not really to see,’ she said. ‘But they were in the study last night; I heard them talking. That would be about nine o’clock. Just before, really, because I was going up to my room to catch the nine o’clock news and I switched on five minutes early.’ She paused, wondering if she was right in talking of the doings of the family. After all, I hadn’t been around all that long. She said nervously, ‘Is this anything to do with what happened to Miss Gillian?’
‘It could be.’
‘Mr Ashton’s bed wasn’t slept in,’ she volunteered.
I glanced at Larry who raised his eyebrows. ‘What about Benson’s bed?’
‘I haven’t looked – but he always makes up his own bed.’
‘I see. I’ll use the telephone if I may.’
I rang the hospital, asking for Penny, and told the operator she’d be in or near the intensive care unit. It was a long time before she came on the line. ‘I hope you haven’t waited long,’ she said. ‘I slipped away for a cup of tea. Gillian’s much better, Malcolm; she’s talking to Honnister now, and she doesn’t mind a bit.’
I said, ‘Did you tell your father about us last night?’
‘No. He’d gone to bed when I got in.’
‘Did you tell him this morning?’
‘No. I slept late and he’d gone out when I got up. I expect Mary made breakfast for him.’
I didn’t comment on that. ‘When did you last see Benson?’
Her voice was suddenly wary. ‘What’s the matter, Malcolm? What’s going on?’
I said, ‘Look, Penny, I’m at your house. I’d like you to come home because I want to talk to you about something. I expect Honnister will be at the hospital for quite some time, and there’s nothing you can do there.’
‘There’s something wrong, isn’t there?’ she said.
‘Not really. I’ll tell you when I see you.’
‘I’m coming now.’ She rang off.
I put down the receiver and looked around, to see Mary Cope regarding me curiously from the other end of the hall. I jerked my head at Larry and gave him my keys. ‘In the special compartment of my car you’ll find a file on Ashton. There’s a list of the cars he owns – on page five, I think. Nipround to the garage and see what’s missing. Then go down to the gate and ask Willis what time Ashton and Benson left here.’
He went quickly and I walked into Ashton’s study. On his desk were two envelopes; one addressed to Penny and the other to me. I picked up mine and broke the seal.
The note might have been enigmatic to anyone else, but to me it was as clear as crystal. It read:
My dear Malcolm,
You are far too intelligent a man not to have seen what I was driving at in our more recent conversations. You may be acquainted with the French proverb: Celui qui a trouvé un bon gendre a gagné un fils; mais celui qui en a recontré un mauvais a perdu une fille.
Marry Penny with my blessing and make her happy – but, for her sake, be a bad son-in-law.
Yours,
George Ashton.
I sat down heavily and had a queasy feeling in the pit of my stomach because I knew we’d botched the job. I picked up the telephone to ring Ogilivie.
I didn’t wrap it up for him. ‘Our pigeons have flown the coop,’ I said baldly.
He was incredulous. ‘What! All of them?’
‘Just the two cock birds.’
He was silent for a moment, then said slowly, ‘My fault, I’m afraid. I ought to have given you your team yesterday. How certain are you?’
‘He left me a note.’ I read it out.
Ogilvie put the French into English. ‘“He who has found a good son-in-law has gained a son, but he who has picked up a bad one has lost a daughter.” What the hell is that supposed to mean?’
I said, ‘It may be my fault that he’s cut and run. He tackled me again last evening about marrying Penny, and I gave him another refusal. I think that since he couldn’t get her to cut loose from him, he has cut loose from her. If you read the note in that context you’ll see what I mean.’
‘Um. What was his attitude last evening?’
‘He was a walking disaster,’ I said flatly.
‘How much start have they had?’
I sorted through the details I had picked up, then checked the time. ‘I don’t know about Benson, but for Ashton say fifteen hours maximum. I might get to know a bit more in the next few minutes.’
‘We don’t know that he went,’ said Ogilvie objectively. ‘He might have been taken. That note to you may be a fraud. Either case is serious, of course.’
‘I don’t think he was taken. The note is too accurately pointed, and this house is well protected.’
‘Yes, it would be.’ Ogilvie knew enough of the background to make a statement like that. ‘How’s the girl taking it?’
‘She doesn’t know yet. Ashton left her a note, too. I haven’t opened it – I’ll let her do that. I’ll let you know anything that’s relevant.’
‘Think she’ll tell you?’
‘Yes. It’s a funny thing, sir, but I did ask her to marry me last night and she accepted. She was going to tell Ashton when she got home but she said he’d gone to bed. I think he’d already left. If he’d waited another couple of hours he might have decided not to go.’
‘Yes,’ said Ogilvie meditatively. ‘But don’t blame yourself for that.’ I looked up as Larry came into the study. Ogilvie said, ‘Did you disclose yourself to her?’
‘No.’
There was a pause. ‘You take your duties very seriously, don’t you, Malcolm?’
‘I try to. Hang on a minute.’ I looked up at Larry. ‘Well?’
‘There’s an Aston Martin short, and both Benson and Ashton left last night at about half past nine, and didn’t
